Don T. Powers

Don T. Powers, 59, of Thomasville, Ga., passed away suddenly at Archbold Memorial Hospital early Saturday morning, Jan. 9, 2010. He was educated at Tennessee Tech and David Lipscomb University. Don began drawing as a child and found a bond with art that defined his soul. He was a devoted father, loyal husband, and passionate about the smallest joys in life. Don sought to bring a sense of existential appreciation to everyone he knew and loved. A self-taught artist, Don became Art Director at the Tennessee State Museum where he met Jeanne, also an artist. Don was friends with the eminent Dalai Lama and President Jimmy Carter, authors Peter Matthiessen and Stephen Mitchell and the late artist Neil Welliver. He was adopted into the Shawnee Nation in 1975 for his Native American-themed work. In 1984 He was awarded the Lyndhurst Prize for art. In 2006 he illustrated "The Silver Donkey," by Sonya Hartnett. He was a mentor to all who knew and loved him, a guiding light of imagination, and is an eternal inspiration. He is survived by Jeanne Donaldson Powers, his wife of 33 years; his sons, Nathaniel Walden Powers and Daniel Everett Powers; his mother, Ruby Powers of Madison, Tenn.; his brother, Dan Powers of Buffalo Valley, Tenn.; nephew, Cody Powers and his son Bryce of Gallatin, Tenn.; niece, Dana Davis and her children Silas, Aidan and Savannah of Whitehouse, Tenn., and Rachel Lassiter and her sons Leyton and Liam. A memorial service is to be held at Four Mile Village, Fla. at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Androcles Society. Visitors may sign the guest register at www.allenfh.com. — Allen and Allen Funeral Home